Jerod Mayo is the linebacker that nobody has talked about at Tennessee.

It's too easy to discuss the astonishing progress of middle linebacker Kevin Simon, just seven months after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

On the outside, seniors Omar Gaither and Jason Mitchell have thrilled coaches and fans with their potential since they were sophomores.

Then, there's Mayo, just plugging along, trying to improve.

"Spring is going really well," said the freshman from Hampton, Va. "It's giving the young players a good opportunity to learn the plays. I'm just trying to take advantage of the opportunity.

"I'm trying to learn the plays each and every day. It's easier to learn when you are doing the reps (repetitions) out there instead of just doing them on the (chalk) board."

Whether on the board or on the field, Mayo has had plenty of help along the way.

"Kevin Simon and Jason Mitchell have really been trying to teach me the weakside linebacker position. When Kevin Burnett was here (last year), he was really trying to help me out."

After redshirting last year, the 6-foot-2, 220 pound Mayo started spring drills as a strongside linebacker. With Daniel Brooks sidelined with a hand infection, Mayo has taken a crash course in weakside linebacker backing up Mitchell, the projected starter.

Mayo's versatility could land him playing time at either, or both, outside linebacker positions. As long as Mayo is at least second string, he will almost assuredly play in 2005; either in a starter's absence or to spell the first string.

"I've got a nose for the ball," Mayo said. "I'm not the biggest or fastest or strongest, but I've got a nose for the ball."

With proven linebackers pacing themselves, spring practice has been the learning experience that Mayo needs to grow.

"It's a lot more complicated than the high school level," Mayo said. "It's all about technique. Even the linemen can run at this level, you've got to stay low."